Mindoro
After travelling through the night on a barge, we finally reached Mindoro island, home to the Mangyan Tribes! Cut off from civilisation, the Mangyans suffer from a lack of governmental aid and access to basic amenities. And consequently, this has led to widespread problems such as malnourishment, poor sanitation and healthcare. We set up our clinic in a beautiful rustic village set against a mountainous landscape. And over 2 days, we managed to see a total of more than 300 patients, including many from neighbouring villages who had walked for hours to seek medical treatment.
As patients streamed in along with their children, many hours were also spent engaging the children in games, story-telling and song.
We would like to express our gratitude to Dr Lee Oh Chong Leng, who sponsored a Hyflux water filter to the community, assuring them of cleaner water and a better standard of hygiene and health as a result. Thanks to all the generous donations we received, we were also able to distribute gift packs, KOKA Instant Noodles (courtesy of Tat Hui Foods Pte Ltd) and provide those who came, with a balanced meal.
After the busy but meaningful clinic, we decided embark on a hike up the hills. Tired as we were, after 2 long days, the stunning view made the climb worth it!
Correctional Institute for Women
Upon entering the Correctional Institute for Women, the voices of women singing, reached our ears. It came from the hall where over a hundred women had gathered for our medical clinic. The women received us warmly and we invited us to join them in a session of songs before the medical clinic commenced. Yet their high spirits belied the poor conditions within which they live:
The Correctional Institute for Women has been known for being the most overcrowded correctional institute in the country. As a result, widespread respiratory infections are common and the strain on resources has led to poor access to healthcare, and a limited supply of nutritious food. Compounded by poor lifestyle habits, this has resulted in many of the women suffering from hypertension, diabetes and related conditions.
To see to these needs, health education was conducted alongside the medical clinic, and the women were advised on lifestyle changes that could be made to improve their health within the constraints of their facility. And as musculoskeletal pain is common among the ladies, they were taught basic stretching exercises and given each a bottle of Eagle Brand Medicated Oil, kindly donated by Borden Company Pte Ltd.
Finally, as the medical clinic came to a close, a nutritious lunch was served.
Home for the Aged, Girls’ Home, Foundling Home
On our final day of missions, we visited three homes within the Manila Boystown Complex, a facility exclusively for Manila’s abandoned and forgotten children and senior citizens.
Starting off with the Girls’ Home, we blessed them with stationery sponsored by Pilot Pen and led them in songs and games. It was heartwarming to see that even a simple game like musical chairs could fill the room with squeals of laughter and so much cheer.
Moving on from there, we visited the Home for the Aged, where we were touched by their warm welcome and how eagerly they participated in our activities. Even an elderly amputee, crutches in hand, got up to groove along, as we led them in a game of Stop-Dance. It saddened us to see the overcrowded and sparsely furnished state of the home, but that only spurred us on to show them more love through our personal interactions with them.
Last but not least, we visited the Foundling Home, which houses very young boys below the age of 6. We played with and sang Christmas carols with the little ones.
Before we knew it, it was time for dinner, and a hearty meal of rice, meat, eggs and drinks was served to all three homes.
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We would like to express our appreciation to our families, friends, sponsors and private donors for making all this possible. With such overwhelming support, we were able to reach out to so many communities in so many ways:
- Food Empire Holdings, for their financial support
- Borden Company, for their Eagle brand medicated oil
- Tat Hui Foods Pte Ltd, for their KOKA noodles
- Pilot Pen Singapore, for their stationery